Georgia
5
Day Itinerary •
USA
Five days in Georgia lets you explore the full extraordinary breadth of the Peach State, from the antebellum grandeur of Savannah and the extraordinary Golden Isles wild horses to the magnificent Blue Ridge Mountains, the extraordinary Tallulah Gorge and the vibrant Atlanta food, arts and history scene. This route covers the complete Georgia experience. The extraordinary Savannah Historic District and Bonaventure Cemetery, the magnificent Cumberland Island and Jekyll Island, the extraordinary Tallulah Gorge and Amicalola Falls, the remarkable Stone Mountain and the vibrant Ponce City Market and BeltLine of Atlanta.
Best Time To Visit
March to May or October to November
Getting There
Fly into Savannah (SAV) or Atlanta (ATL)
Getting Around
Rental car essential outside Savannah and Atlanta
Budget Per Day
Approx $110 to $180 per person per day
Difficulity
Easy to moderate, some mountain and gorge hiking
DAY 1
SAVANNAH
MORNING
SAVANNAH HISTORIC DISTRICT AND FORSYTH PARK
Savannah is the most extraordinary historic city in the American South, its extraordinary grid of 22 live oak-shaded squares draped with Spanish moss, the finest antebellum architecture in America and the remarkable River Street along the bluff giving a cityscape unlike any other. Forsyth Park with its extraordinary 1858 fountain, azalea gardens and moss-draped oaks is the finest urban park in the South. The extraordinary Mercer Williams House and the Owens-Thomas House are unmissable. All free. Drive: 20 min walk
MIDDAY
WORMSLOE HISTORIC SITE AND BONAVENTURE CEMETERY
Wormsloe Historic Site gives the most extraordinary avenue in America, its extraordinary 1.5-mile drive lined with 400 ancient live oaks forming a cathedral canopy above the tabby ruins of the 1730s colonial fortification. Bonaventure Cemetery is the most extraordinary Victorian garden cemetery in the Deep South, its extraordinary moss-draped monuments above the Wilmington River giving the most atmospheric cemetery experience in America. Both free. Drive: 15 min drive
AFTERNOON
SAVANNAH GHOST TOUR AND RIVER STREET
Savannah's extraordinary ghost tour at night reveals the most remarkable stories of one of the most haunted cities in America, the extraordinary tales of murder, yellow fever, pirates and buried treasure giving the finest ghost heritage experience in the South. River Street's extraordinary 19th-century cotton warehouse buildings along the Savannah River give the finest waterfront dining in Georgia. The Factor's Walk cobblestone connections are extraordinary. River Street free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Pin Point Heritage Museum on Moon River near Savannah is the finest hidden Gullah Geechee heritage site in Georgia, its extraordinary former oyster processing factory giving the most extraordinary insight into the African American community that shaped Savannah's cultural identity. Entry approx $7.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: The Collins Quarter, Savannah The finest breakfast in Savannah. Extraordinary local Georgia produce in a Victorian corner building. | Lunch: Mrs Wilkes Dining Room The most legendary communal table lunch in Savannah since 1943. Extraordinary Southern cooking. | Dinner: The Grey, Savannah The most celebrated restaurant in Savannah. Extraordinary local Georgia produce in a 1938 bus station.
DAY 2
GEORGIA GOLDEN ISLES
MORNING
JEKYLL ISLAND HISTORIC DISTRICT AND DRIFTWOOD BEACH
Jekyll Island is the most extraordinary Gilded Age resort island in America, its extraordinary Jekyll Island Club Historic District of 33 millionaire cottages built by the Rockefellers, Vanderbilts and Pulitzers giving the finest Gilded Age heritage in the South. The extraordinary Driftwood Beach on the island's north shore, its ancient twisted oaks bleached white by salt air and rising from the sand, is the most extraordinary and atmospheric beach in Georgia. Tours approx $15. Drive: 1.5 hr drive
MIDDAY
CUMBERLAND ISLAND WILD HORSES AND CARNEGIE RUINS
Cumberland Island National Seashore is the most extraordinary wilderness barrier island in Georgia, its extraordinary herd of wild horses roaming free between the maritime forest and pristine Atlantic beach, the remarkable Plum Orchard Carnegie mansion ruins and the First African Baptist Church where JFK Jr. married giving the finest wilderness island experience in the South. The extraordinary 17-mile beach is entirely undeveloped. Ferry from St Marys approx $30. Drive: 30 min drive + ferry
AFTERNOON
GOLDEN ISLES SALT MARSHES AND SUNSET
The Georgia coast salt marshes are the most extraordinary coastal ecosystem in the Southeast, their extraordinary 10-mile-wide expanse of Spartina grass between the barrier islands and the mainland giving the finest tidal marsh landscape in America. The Sidney Lanier Bridge in Brunswick gives the finest elevated view of the marshes and intracoastal waterway. The extraordinary marsh sunset over the Golden Isles is unmissable. Both free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation near Brunswick is the finest hidden antebellum rice plantation in Georgia, its extraordinary 1807 tidal rice plantation on the Altamaha River giving the most authentic antebellum heritage experience on the Georgia coast. Entry approx $7.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Jekyll Island Club dining room The finest breakfast in the Golden Isles. Extraordinary local Georgia produce in a Gilded Age setting. | Lunch: Picnic on Cumberland Island Pack lunch from St Marys. Wild beach picnic with horses grazing in the dunes. | Dinner: Halyards, St Simons Island The finest restaurant on the Georgia coast. Extraordinary local seafood.
DAY 3
BLUE RIDGE GEORGIA
MORNING
TALLULAH GORGE, THE SOUTHEAST'S MOST EXTRAORDINARY CANYON
Tallulah Gorge is the most extraordinary natural canyon in the southeastern United States, its extraordinary 1,000-foot-deep quartzite gorge with six waterfalls within two miles including Tempesta Falls, Hurricane Falls and Oceana Falls giving the finest waterfall canyon experience in Georgia. The rim trails give the finest elevated views and the gorge floor permit gives extraordinary close-range waterfall access. Entry $5, floor permit required. Drive: 3.5 hr drive
MIDDAY
AMICALOLA FALLS AND THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL APPROACH
Amicalola Falls is the most extraordinary waterfall in Georgia, its extraordinary 729-foot cascade making it the tallest waterfall east of the Mississippi River. The approach trail to the southern Appalachian Trail terminus begins at the base, making Amicalola Falls the most extraordinary trailhead in the eastern United States. The lodge deck gives the finest view of the falls. Entry $5 per vehicle. Drive: 45 min drive
AFTERNOON
BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAIN TOWN AND APPLE ORCHARDS
Blue Ridge is the most extraordinary mountain town in north Georgia, its extraordinary Blue Ridge Scenic Railway, craft brewery scene and the magnificent Mercier Orchards with 50 varieties of apple giving the finest mountain town experience in the state. The extraordinary drive along the Toccoa River to the Tennessee state line gives the finest mountain road in north Georgia. Town free to explore.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Raven Cliff Falls trail in Unicoi State Park near Helen is the finest hidden waterfall hike in north Georgia, its extraordinary 5-mile round trip to a 400-foot waterfall visible through a dramatic split in the rock cliff face giving the most extraordinary waterfall experience in the Georgia Blue Ridge. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Gia's on the Lake, Tallulah Falls The finest breakfast near Tallulah Gorge. Local Georgia mountain ingredients. | Lunch: Picnic at Amicalola Falls Pack lunch. The extraordinary falls deck picnic at Georgia's tallest waterfall. | Dinner: Harvest on Main, Blue Ridge The finest restaurant in Blue Ridge. Extraordinary local north Georgia produce.
DAY 4
NORTH GEORGIA MOUNTAINS
MORNING
BRASSTOWN BALD, THE HIGHEST POINT IN GEORGIA
Brasstown Bald at 4,784 feet is the highest point in Georgia, its extraordinary summit tower giving a 360-degree view of four states on clear days from the finest free mountain viewpoint in the state. The Appalachian Trail passes near the summit and the extraordinary Jack's Knob and Arkaquah trails give the finest ridge hiking in the Georgia Blue Ridge. The extraordinary fall color across the Chattahoochee National Forest in October is the finest in Georgia. Entry $5 per vehicle. Drive: 30 min drive
MIDDAY
DAHLONEGA AND THE FIRST AMERICAN GOLD RUSH
Dahlonega is the most extraordinary gold rush heritage town in Georgia, the site of America's first major gold rush in 1828, predating the California rush by 21 years. The extraordinary Dahlonega Gold Museum in the 1836 courthouse gives the finest gold rush history in the South. The Consolidated Gold Mine tour gives the most extraordinary underground mine experience in Georgia. The extraordinary north Georgia wine trail surrounding Dahlonega produces exceptional Viognier. Museum entry approx $6. Drive: 45 min drive
AFTERNOON
NORTH GEORGIA VINEYARDS AND THE DAHLONEGA WINE TRAIL
The Dahlonega wine trail is the most extraordinary wine country in Georgia, its extraordinary concentration of vineyards on the north Georgia mountain slopes producing the finest Georgia wines including Frogtown Cellars, Three Sisters Vineyards and Wolf Mountain Vineyards. The extraordinary mountain views from the vineyard terraces above the Chestatee River valley give the finest wine tasting setting in Georgia. Tastings approx $12 to $18.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Len Foote Hike Inn near Amicalola Falls is the finest eco-lodge hidden gem in Georgia, its extraordinary walk-in-only lodge 5 miles from the Amicalola Falls trailhead giving the most extraordinary off-grid Appalachian Trail experience without a tent. Entry approx $130 per person including meals.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Crimson Moon Cafe, Dahlonega The finest breakfast in Dahlonega. Extraordinary local Georgia mountain ingredients. | Lunch: Picnic at Brasstown Bald Pack lunch. The extraordinary 4,784-foot summit picnic with four-state views. | Dinner: Wolf Mountain Vineyards, Dahlonega The finest vineyard restaurant in Georgia. Extraordinary local mountain produce.
DAY 5
ATLANTA
MORNING
ATLANTA BELTLINE EASTSIDE TRAIL AND PONCE CITY MARKET
The Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail is the most extraordinary urban linear park in the American South, its extraordinary 2.25-mile converted railway corridor through Inman Park, the Old Fourth Ward and Ponce City Market giving the finest free urban walking experience in Atlanta. Ponce City Market in the 1926 Sears Roebuck building is the finest food hall in the South, its extraordinary collection of local Atlanta restaurants and artisan food vendors giving the finest single-stop food experience. BeltLine free. Drive: 4 hr drive
MIDDAY
MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE
The Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site in Sweet Auburn is the most extraordinary civil rights heritage site in America, its extraordinary collection of the birth home of Dr King, the Ebenezer Baptist Church where he preached, the King Center and the remarkable Fire Station No. 6 that denied service to the Black community giving the finest civil rights heritage experience in the United States. Entry entirely free. Drive: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
ATLANTA INMAN PARK AND LITTLE FIVE POINTS
Inman Park is the most extraordinary Victorian neighborhood in Atlanta, its extraordinary tree-shaded streets of 1890s Queen Anne mansions giving the finest historic residential architecture in the city. Little Five Points adjacent to Inman Park gives the finest counterculture neighborhood in the South, its extraordinary independent record shops, vintage clothing and food halls giving the finest bohemian Atlanta experience. The Carter Center nearby is free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Oakland Cemetery in Atlanta is the finest hidden historic cemetery in Georgia, its extraordinary 88-acre Victorian garden cemetery containing the graves of Bobby Jones, Margaret Mitchell and Confederate soldiers giving the most extraordinary garden cemetery experience in Atlanta. Free. Walking tours available.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Ria's Bluebird, Atlanta Grant Park The finest breakfast in Atlanta. Extraordinary local Georgia eggs and the finest biscuits in the South. | Lunch: Ponce City Market food hall The most extraordinary food hall lunch in Atlanta. Extraordinary local Georgia food vendors. | Dinner: Staplehouse, Atlanta The most celebrated restaurant in Atlanta. Extraordinary local Georgia produce. Book weeks ahead.
Where To Stay
Savannah and Jekyll Island, Nights 1 to 2 Kehoe House or Jekyll Island Club. Approx $140 to $280. Blue Ridge, Night 3 Pura Vida Resort or Blue Ridge Inn. Approx $120 to $220 per night. Atlanta, Nights 4 to 5 The Kimpton Sylvan or Hotel Clermont. Approx $130 to $250 per night.
Top Tips
1. Book Cumberland Island ferry at recreation.gov weeks ahead. Only 300 visitors per day.
2. Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail on a Saturday morning is the finest free urban walk in the South.
3. Tallulah Gorge floor permit: only 100 per day, available at 8am at the park gate. Arrive early.
4. Dahlonega gold mine tours are the finest gold rush heritage experience in Georgia. Entry approx $15.
5. Savannah's Mrs Wilkes Dining Room: arrive before opening at 11am. The queue is worth it. Cash only.
6. The Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site in Atlanta is the finest civil rights heritage in America.
Total Budget
$110 to $180/day